Anyanya, retired major, declares for Rivers governorship

The battle for the Rivers State governorship ticket in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, and Lancelot Anyanya, the Chairman of National Oilspill Detection and Response Agency.

Wike, fondly called “my husband’s younger brother” by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is a lawyer. Anyanya, who has been described as “one of Dame’s sons”, is a historian, retired major and security expert.

Wike is from Ikwere/Upland area. Anyanya is from Ataba, Andoni Council in riverrine area. There is a fierce battle between the two divides for the ticket in the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Pro-Wike forces are campaigning, based on the concept of “one Rivers State”. But, the riverrine people are raising an objection, saying that they have not enjoyed the slot since 1999. Apparently aligning with the agitation of his kinsmen for power shift, Anyanya said the clamour is valid. In a breath, he said he did not to be an ethnic egoist. He said: “Rivers has competent people across the two divides”. But, in another dimension, he added that it will be hypocritical, if stakeholders do not appreciate the template for leadership recruitment in Rivers as dictated by the upland/riverrine dicotomy.

The Minister of State has served as a council boss and Chief of Staff before his current assignment. During that time, Anyanya was busy defending the territorial integrity of the country as a soldier before he voluntarily retired in 2007. He said: “I have planned. I am coming from somewhere. I have been serving the people.”

At a rally in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, Wike boasted that he had the backing of the PDP structure as the arrowhead of the chapter. He also said that he would defeat other aspirants, including the retired soldier at the primaries. Last week, Anyanya replied that only God can predict the future. “Let’s wait and see. I have the people. He will be shocked when he is defeated,” he said.

The big wigs who seem to be backing Wike are known. He is at the centre of the controversy triggered by the Jonathan/Amaechi faceoff. In this big fight, which is fuelled by ego, Anyanya, who is also backing President Goodluck Jonathan against Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is not a hero. Many have said that the Commander-In-Chief may not abandon the minister for the board chairman. But, Anyanya said he is relying on God and the masses. “I have never failed before. During my preparation for the Nigerian Defence Academy, it was a miracle how I made the list of candidates for the interview and how I was later admitted. In our final examinations, I was among the top 10. In my university, I led my department, without being immodest,” said the retired Major, who obtained a masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

Unfolding his ambition in Lagos, he said he was on a rescue mission for another level of service. Rivers State is significant. It was one of the states created at the onset of the civil war. It is a state with a lot of economic infrastructure. It is critical to the economy of Nigeria. That is why it should be properly managed,” he said.

Anyanya is bracing up for the battle ahead. The primaries may not be a walk over for any contender. But, he said the presence of many aspirants is a blessing for the PDP. “The number of aspirants adds to the vibrancy of the party,” he said. But, he also argued that the motivation for jostling for power is important, adding that “anybody who is in the race for selfish reason, and not for service, is foolish.”

Stressing that he is inspired by the God-given desire to make a difference, he said: “I am not worried by people running with me. My goal is to get the prize. If I emerge as the candidate, many people will come back to the PDP.”

Anyanya said he is not happy with the PDP situation in Rivers. He vented his anger on Amaechi, who he berated for decimating the party. Although he tactically avoided discussing the circumstances that led to the governor’s defection to the APC, he said the governor was chasing shadows. But, the aspirant praised the President and urged Nigerians to support him. He said Dr. Jonathan is not responsible for the insecurity in the country.

Anyanya observed that Boko Haram’s recruits came from an army of unemployed youths facing a perilous future. He also observed that the insurgency is boosted by its clear ideological leaning, making sect members to develop a principle of mission and commitment to that inexplicable ideological indoctrination. Urging Nigerians to support him for a second term, he said: “It is like Nigeria is fighting a war and war-time Presidents are often given the chance to focus on present challenges without distraction and hindrance.”

In his view, the lack of military capacity for curtailing the insurgency by the sect underscored the lack of investment in military industrial establishment and weaponry. “It is a validation of the reality that the worst victim of the military rule is the military,” he added.

Urging Nigerians to cooperate with the government in its bid to end the insurgency, the security expert said the unconstructive criticism of military operations against the sect may have undermined the morale of soldiers facing the heat on the battle field. “Only a non-partisan approach has aided countries with superior military complex to deal with the evil of insurgency,” Anyanya added.